EL LOBO DEL MAR

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Josiah gave her a dubious smile. "Seems I am playing second fiddle once again."
She reached out and touched his hand. "I guess I didn't mean it that way, Josiah. I actually came here to talk to Renee. I need another viewpoint and from someone who knows Jack as well as I do."
"Oh dear...what has the bad boy done now?"
"It's not what he's done...it is what he hasn't done."
Josiah motioned for Honour to sit down and then sat down across from her..
She took a deep breath and plunged in. "Josiah, have I made a mistake by taking Jack away from the sea? He's having a very hard time coping with the plantation. I just wondered if it was selfishness on my part to try to fit him into a mould that he just can't fit."
Briggs leaned back in his chair and lit his pipe. Honour braced herself for the pungent smell of the smoke, but was surprised to find the pleasant aroma of cherries and red apples.
"Things on dry land never work out the way they do on the seas."
"That's why I've come to you. You know how Jack's mind works in this kind of situation."
"I suppose I do, if ye can call that maelstrom in his head thinkin'."

Briggs chuckled. "Aye, that was a bit unfair of me. I've seen Jack crush a foe more effectively with his mind than any cannon could do. What's got him so vexed?"
Honour's face clouded. "It's like he's working against his nature. Every attempt at improvement seems to make things worse. I hate to say it, but I believe Jack is out of his depth."
"Funny ye should put it that way. Me, I've got the other end of the stick. I've got a crewman... you remember Eli Meredith?"
"Of course I do! Eli is a good man."
"A good man, but a rubbish sailor. Don't get me wrong, Honour. He's got a heart big as all outdoors. But the sea's as foreign to him as gypsy in London Town."

"Why is that?"
"Simple. He's a farm boy. And like many a farm boy, he got driven off his land durin' Cromwell's War. So there he was, not an acre to farm, and a broken heart to go with it."
"Leaving the land hurt him that much?"
"It weren't the land what broke his heart. It was what ends up breakin' any bloke's heart. A woman."

"I didn't realise... I never stopped to think..."
Briggs patted Honour's hand. "And why would ye? The one thing the sea will do is bond one man to another, and things get confessed that wouldn't ordinarily get said. I knew somethin' was gnawin' at that lad the moment I met him.  And... God, how I know this one... the deeper the wound, the slower your tongue is to talk about it.  In my case, for some strange reason I found it easy to talk to Jack about it. Damn that man, but he does have a way of getting' inside your head, don't he?"
Honour couldn't help but smile. "He seems to know what I'm thinking before I can start to say it, at times."


"Uncanny, that is. But that's another story for another time. With Eli, he had a sweetheart. A gal by the name of Hadassah."
"Hadassah?" echoed Honour. She thought about it for a moment. "Wasn't that the Hebrew name of Esther?"
"Aye! Ye know your Bible well enough. The most beautiful woman in the land, eh?"
Honour nodded.
"And to hear Eli tell it, she was indeed the fairest of the fair. But when he lost his land and any title to it, Hadassah sought greener pastures. Or the owner thereof, at any rate. So noe here he is, tryin' to make the best of it on the sea, and workin' against his very nature. A farmer tryin' to be the best sailor."
"And Jack, a sailor trying to be the best farmer."

"Funny how this old world works out, ain't it? Capable men, trapped workin' at odds with themselves?"

"Josiah, I don't want Jack to be sorry he gave the sea up for me. And I don't want to change him into something he won't be happy with. But thank you for letting me talk this through. I still don't have an answer but I am sure one will come. I have to give it time." Honour sighed.  "I suppose it is something each will have to work out. But as Megan always said, 'Things work out the way they are supposed to.' I have to trust that. And now I have to go home. I left Zara with Mrs Avery and Jack is tearing his hair out over invoices. I suppose I have to go home and soothe his nerves. Please tell Renee I will see her later in the week. The two of you will come for dinner? And Phillip is invited as always."
"Just tell us when, Honour."
She walked to the door. Josiah laid a hand on her arm and said softly, "Yep, funny how things work out.  You and Jack....me and Renee."
He smiled and she kissed his cheek, waving goodbye.

[Welsh Wench]

Honour mounted her horse and took a leisurely pace back to the house. She breathed deeply the crisp salt air mingled with the scent of scrub pine.
As she and Ebony meandered the trail back, she was deep in thought.
'The only solution is to hire an overseer. Someone with experience. Too bad Daffyd isn't here. His managerial skills could be put to good use,' she thought.

'The shipment to Will Harkness---well, if we can't bring the crop in on time, we can always purchase the molasses. Jack can put some of those guilders to good use. Slap our label on it. After all, molasses is molasses. Will doesn't care where it comes from as long as he gets his barrels.'

Her heart was also heavy. It had been a few months since she got the mysterious chests from Megan and Daffyd. No word of explanation--not even a note or letter.
'I'm sure everything is fine. Someone would have said something.'

As she was crossing the meadow into the cleared farm fields, she waved to the slaves and they waved back to her.
Jack admitted she was right. The terms of their enslavement were more of an indentured servant. At the end of five years, the slave would be given what was held back in wages. He would be given the choice of either staying on or free to go where he wanted. It never failed to bring tears to Honour's eyes as she saw the slave women weep for joy as Jack had purchased entire families with the sole purpose of keeping them together. And every day for an hour, the slaves would be taught to read and write.
As a result, the workers were happy and productive workers. Jack was a fair master and never had taken a whip to anyone. In some ways, Honour knew his fairness and kindness were a sort of redemption of his former ways.

As she rode along the edge of the meadow to the stables, she saw the small cottage that somehow had been overlooked. Dismounting, Honour tied her horse to a tree. Cautiously she opened the front door. It creaked and groaned in protest from disuse. She coughed as the dust particles danced through the leaded glass windows. A small stone fireplace with its bricks charred from the fires of keeping warm and cooking was built against the wall. Under the table was an oak table with two chairs. She looked up at the ceiling. Even though it was smudged with soot, she could see no daylight.
Pushing hard on the window, it eventually swung out of the casement. Looking out, she could see the manor house not far off.
'The land between it and the cleared lawn would be ideal for the vineyard,' she thought.
She closed the door and walked away, trying to look at it from a perspective of distance.
A window box was perched crookedly under the front window. There was a lovely yellow pansy bravely pushing up in between the weeds.
Suddenly an idea came to her. 'What a wonderful playhouse that would be for Zara--and the rest of the children.
The rest of the children....'
She sighed. 'Yes, I guess I must get busy on that. I promised Jack a wolf-pack. Childbirth was no fun but getting there certainly was. Time to grow up, Rhiannon.' It's not that she didn't want more children. It's just that she and Jack were trying to get the operation going. Enjoying each other and watching Zara grow.

'Six months. In six months we will revisit the situation.' She mounted Ebony once more.
"Shall we see what you can do, Ebony?"
The horse snorted in approval.
"Then allons-y!"
With that, she tapped his flanks and off they went, galloping across the lawn.

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

"Feeling better, darling?"
Jack took his boots off and shoved them under the bed. It was always a tradition with them. A subtle message to Honour that he was hers and hers alone.
"I guess so. Although I have a headache from looking at those invoices. I finally got them squared away."
"You mean you put them from one pile to another. Tomorrow you will shove them back again."
"Well, Zara came in with her bunny and wanted to sit on my lap and....."
"And you took her for a swim in the ocean. I saw the wet clothes you tried to hide from me."

Jack grinned sheepishly. "Well, she insisted."
"Jack, an eighteen month old child does NOT insist. Not without a suggestion from her da."
He looked appreciatively at Honour as she  pulled the chemise over her head and slipped into her dressing gown. He reached under the bed and pulled out the bottle of merlot, producing two goblets from the bedside table.
She giggled. "You are so transparent, Jack Wolfe!"

He popped the cork and filled the goblets halfway.
"It's a wonder I still cast a shadow once we step into the bedroom," he said with a wink as he handed Honour her glass.
"And once again you've filled my glass a bit more than you did yours, I see."
Jack smiled warmly. "Old habits die hard, love."

"Old habits? And just how old, pray tell?"
"Hmmm. Let me see... Since our first night together."

Honour giggled took a sip of wine. "Then it's not a habit."
"What would you call it then?"
"A tradition. But I can't say I am surprised you've been doing it all along."
Jack sipped his wine and smiled. "Well, I was a pirate after all."
Honour couldn't tell if it was in his eyes or his voice, but she could sense a touch of melancholy about him.
"Wasn't it you who once told me that as long as the seas rise and fall and the wind fills sails, a pirate's heart will still beat strong?"
"Hmmm. I hope it was me. That's pretty good!"
"Jack Wolfe, you know full well it was you who said that. And I believe those words. You do, too, or you wouldn't have said them."
"That was a long time ago. Or it feels that way, at any rate."

Honour took another sip of wine, a larger one this time. She hoped it would give her the courage to speak her mind.
"Jack, tell me the truth. Are you happy?"
His eyebrows went up. "Happy? Of course I'm happy! I have the love of my life with me, a beautiful daughter, all our needs are taken care of. Why wouldn't I be happy?"
"I've seen you staring at the piles of papers on your desk, and you look a little less happy every day. I worry that you aren't satisfied with this life."
"Oh, Honour. No. No, I'm not unhappy or dissatisfied. I'm just... frustrated. I have never liked record keeping. Hell, I hated filling out the log books. But with this-- sweetheart, I seem unhappy because I simply don't know what I'm doing. But I'll sort it out." He sighed and caressed her face. "Being a pirate was in many ways a simpler life. And I won't lie, it was exciting. You know what else it was?"
"Profitable?"
"Well, yes, for me it was. That's not what I was thinking of, though. It was a very, very lonely life. That alone, weighed against the riches I have in you and Zara? It's not a life I would want to go back to. There are times I am nostalgic for the sea. But not if it meant leaving my family behind."

Honour set her goblet on the bedside table, and took Jack's from his hand and set it beside hers.
"It makes me happy to know you aren't miserable in this life. But Jack, to me you will always be a pirate. That wild-eyed, civilised savage who can be a philosopher or a plunderer as the moment dictates. My pirate, and in the best possible way."
"And what way is that, my love?"
She shook her head. "I can't tell you." She looked into his eyes as she began to unbutton his shirt. "I have to show you."

Jack's heart began to race as he looked into her ever so blue eyes. His lips met hers in a deep, searching kiss as she pulled his shirt free. As they kissed, his hands began to explore the curves of her body through the thin material of her dressing gown. Honour giggle as he kissed her neck in that one place that sent electric thrills through her body.
"Have I ever told you what your giggle does to me?"
She pressed her body against his.
"I've got a pretty good idea. There's my pirate!"
"You know me so well, love."
"It's been a few days, what with you working into the nights. Shall we get reacquainted?" Honour tugged at the bow in the drawstring at the neck of her dressing gown, and with a shrug it fell free from her shoulders.

As they kissed again, they found their way to the bed and to each other.

And Honour spent half the night giggling.

[Welsh Wench]

Honour snuggled deeper into Jack's embrace. She could feel his deep breathing. It was the first time in a week that she felt him relax.
She could feel sleep coming upon her too. Just as she drifted off, a thought came to her out of the blue.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Yes! Yes!"
Jack shot up out of his deep sleep.
"What? What?"
"I have it! I have it! I have the perfect solution to our problems!"
"For Pete's sake, Honour, I thought it was delayed reaction to...you know...."
"The solution is two words. Eli Meredith!"

Jack looked at her in confusion. "Eli? What's Eli got to do with your... wait, what are you talking about?"
Honour gave him a gentle slap on the chest. "Would you get your mind out of my knickers for two minutes? You're having trouble trying to run a farm, yes?"
Jack nodded.
"Would you benefit by having someone here who is experienced with how a farm works? Someone who could handle the day to day operations?"
"I suppose I would, yes..."
"Then Eli is your man!"

Jack tried to follow her line of thought. "But Eli Meredith? Honour, he's a good lad and all, but he can scarcely tell one end of a six-pounder from the other. What makes you think he would be any better at farm life?"

"Why do you think he's struggling so with life at sea? He's a farmer by nature, Jack. The land is in his blood as much as the sea is in yours."

"How on earth did you find all this out about him?"
"When I went into town, I made a call on Renee. She wasn't there, but Josiah was. We got to talking, and that's when he told me about Eli's problems aboard ship."
Jack cocked his head. "And I suppose, somewhere in all this, my difficulties with life on dry land came up?"
"Well, yes," said Honour sheepishly. "But it was only with Briggs. He knows you better than anyone. And it just came to me that the solution to your problems and his would be to hire him on here as the overseer. That way you have someone you know and trust who is also experienced with farming to make sure things run smoothly."

Jack rolled the idea around in his head.
"It makes sense with how Eli could never seem to get the hang of things, no matter how often he tried."
"He was working against his nature. Not unlike what you're experiencing now."

"I could use the help of a knowledgeable person, that's for sure," he sighed.
"The why don't you talk to Briggs about it? I think it's a good idea, and the answer you've been looking for."
Jack smiled, and kissed her tenderly. "Then I'll go chat with Josiah tomorrow. If Eli is indeed the right man, the sooner we get him on here the better."
"I know Eli is young but with given the right chance and...OH! I have the perfect place for him!
Jack looked heavenward and said out loud, "Will wonders ever cease? Beauty AND brains!"
She enthusiastically gestured, "It's wonderful and enchanted!"
"Enchanted? Lord, Honour, this is not a fairy tale. And while I like Eli, he is no prince charming!"
She smacked him with the pillow.
"Don't be silly! I came across this on my ride back. At the edge of the meadow, there is a small cottage. Did you know that?"

He frowned. "Not really."
"Well, I didn't either.It is covered with vines on the house view side. But on the other side it is cleared. It has a loft and a fireplace and would be perfect for a single man!"
Jack looked thoughtful. "I think that might work out. And Eli has alot of compassion. I think he would be a fair overseer to the slaves."'
"Oh, I know he would!"
"Then I say we go down there tomorrow and check it out."
Honour grinned, "And let's take a picnic lunch. Just you and me!"
He put his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. She tumbled backwards onto him.
Laughingly, she said, "No, Jack. It's bed-bed-night-night time."
He sighed. "You must get out more. You are starting to talk like Zara!"
She yawned."Then it's agreed. We look at the cottage and then we ask Josiah and Renee over for dinner. Maybe Eli too."

Jack laughed,"He will need to trade that woolen cap in for a straw hat. I can just see him poking a hole in it."
She snuggled down in the covers and Jack put his arm around her.
"And now....goodnight, darling."
Jack pushed her hair back and kissed her ear but the only sound was her soft breathing.

As he drifted off to sleep, he heard a pounding on the front door.
"What the hell...?"
He grabbed his breeches and shirt. Honour quickly sat up out of her deep sleep. "Oh good Lord. It is three a.m. This can't be good."
She grabbed her dressing gown and Jack whispered, "Stay here."
"No way. I'm going down with you as back-up!"
He grabbed his loaded flintlock and Honour grabbed his rapier that sat in the corner.
"What the hell are you doing? I always told you that a rapier isn't good in close combat!" he hissed.
"OK then," she whispered back. She grabbed a broom on her way downstairs.
"And what the hell are you doing with THAT?" he whispered.
She whispered back, "When you shoot them, guess who has to clean up the mess? I'll just sweep it out the door!"
Jack crept down the staircase with Honour trailing right behind him.
"Get back to bed. I'll handle this."
"Try and make me! I've got your back."
He cautiously looked through the peephole and then flung the door open.
"Oh my God. I don't believe it!"

[Welsh Wench]

Honour's eyes grew wide.
There on their doorstep stood Megan, Dafydd and the children.
Dafydd had an exhausted Morwenna in his arms, sound asleep. Megan held Dylan's hand and he tried to put on a brave face but his eyes filled with tears as he saw his Aunt Rhiannon.

Their clothes were torn and dirty. Circles were under their eyes as they stood on the porch under the lamplight.
"May we come in?" Dafydd managed to say.
Megan leaned against the door post as if she didn't have any strength.
"Oh, for God's sake--please! Come into the drawing room."
Jack tenderly took Morwenna out of Dafydd's arms and laid her gently on the couch.
"What happened? Megan, we were worried sick."
Jack added, "The chests came but no word. We didn't know what to think."
Dafydd spoke with effort. "You--you mean you didn't get the letters I sent? That we were on our way?"
Jack shook his head.
"We didn't know what to think and---"
"Jack! Oh my God--Megan!"

Megan swayed and then slumped to the floor.
Dylan patted her face frantically, "Mummy! Oh, Mummy! Please don't die!"
Dafydd and Jack together got Megan to the couch and Honour rushed forward with a warm wet towel. She tenderly wiped her sister's face and over her shoulder, she said frantically, "Megan has a fever! Jack! Oh, Jack! Send Lucius over to Renee's at once. I don't care what Duckie is doing, but we need him. And fast."

Jack wrote a hasty note for Lucius.
"Take this to Madame Renee or Mister Briggs and bring the doctor back immediately."
Honour continued to wipe her sister's face down. She almost cried when she saw how cracked and worn her sister's shoes were. Tenderly she took Megan's shoes off and covered her with a blanket.
Dylan tugged on Honour's sleeve.
"Aunt Rhiannon....is Mummy going to die?" She put on her bravest face and put her arms around her nephew.
"No, darling. She will be fine. She just needs to rest. Why don't you sit over on that chair and I will take care of your mother now?"
Dylan shook his head and held Megan's hand.
"No, thank you. I am staying with her."
He gently touched Megan's hand and whispered, "It's alright now, Mummy. We are with Aunt Rhiannon and Uncle Jack. Just like you promised."

Megan smiled feebly at her son. "I--I promised we would get here safe. And we are. Da took good care of us."
She was burning up with a fever and under her eyes were smudged with dark circles. Honour had never seen her sister so pale or thin.
She covered Megan with a blanket and brought some tea to her. Holding her sister's head up, she said tenderly, "Just take a few sips, Megan."

Just then, Mrs Avery bustled in, tying her robe around her.
"Oh dear Lord, what have we here?"
"Mrs. Avery, this is my sister's family. Would you be a dear and take the young man into the kitchen for some milk and cookies? Dylan, darling, go with Mrs Avery. Your mother will be alright."
He looked at her dubiously and then to Jack. "Are you sure?"
Jack nodded, "Yes, Dylan. She just needs some food and rest. We will let Morwenna sleep. She looks exhausted."
Jack covered the little girl up with a blanket.
Dafydd ran his hands over his face.
"Thank God we got here. You have no idea...."

Rhiannon stood up. "Jack, take Dafydd into the study and get him some brandy. I'll take care of Megan."
Jack led the beaten man into the study and poured him some brandy as Dafydd collapsed in the leather chair.
"Now, Dafydd---just what the hell happened?"

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Dafydd ran his hand through his hair, then took a long sip of the brandy. Jack noticed how the man's hand shook slightly as he brought the glass to his mouth. Whether it was from stress or exhaustion, or both, it was hard to tell just yet. Finally, Dafydd sighed raggedly.
"Oh God, Jack, you wouldn't believe it. You wouldn't recognise what Britain has become. Or what's left of it, I should say."
"I've heard reports that things have gotten much worse since we visited you." Jack tried to keep his voice soothing and supportive.
"What you saw was nothing. Paradise compared to the living hell Cromwell has brought down upon Wales. And heaven help them, Ireland has it even worse."
"Dafydd, I know you're exhausted. But I have to know, why did you send the crates? Your business records, the family bible, all of it? And why did you have to flee?"
"You have to swear not to tell Megan or Rhiannon what I'm about to tell you. Please, I need your assurance."
"Whatever you tell me, I promise it will not leave this room."
"All right then. Jack, my family has always been stanch supporters of the Crown."
"As have mine."
"I couldn't stand idly by any longer and watch Cromwell and his Roundheads destroy everything that's good about Wales and England. He calls himself the 'Lord Protector'. What a perverse joke! He's tyrant, a despot, a regicidal dictator!"
"All right, Dafydd. Please, try to calm yourself and tell me what happened. I share your contempt for him, I do."
Dafydd took a deep breath, and followed it with some more brandy. Jack refilled his glass as he continued with his story.
"I fell in with a few like-minded landowners, men who believe as I do that Cromwell will be the ruin of Britain. That the Crown must be restored."
"So you became part of a Royalist plan?"
"Yes. I felt it was the right thing to do. There is a movement to restore Charles II to his rightful throne. We supplied money and support for the effort. And I knew there would be risks, for me and for my family. That's why I sent our important belongings to you and Rhiannon. The army would send men, unannounced, to people's homes. Not as a sweep, mind you, but in a seemingly random sort of way. You never knew if they would be knocking on your door next."
"What did they want?"
"An oath of allegiance to Cromwell and the Commonwealth. My tongue would turn to ash before I could speak such filth."
"What was the penalty for not taking the oath?"
"They sequester your lands and holdings. All of it. Then they let the commoners take whatever the army didn't, bit by bit. Megan knew I could never bend my knee to Cromwell and his ilk, so she agreed that we should send our cherished things here for safekeeping."

"Was your plan to leave before they demanded an oath from you? I'm sorry, Dafydd, but I can't help feeling something went terribly wrong."
"You're right, it did. The plan was to wait until they removed us from our land. They generously give you a week to gather your approved belongings and vacate. All that time, army officers are going through your things, taking all the best for themselves. But one day, as I was walking the property, a young man came to see me. A fine lad, Siawn Kendrick. He grew up not two miles from the manor, and would come by every now and again to see the horses with his father. Anyway, he had been conscripted into the army. He had overheard officers talking about raiding my home and arresting me as a Royalist conspirator. And others spoke of doing away with me. Siawn warned me that we had to get out of Beaumaris right away, that night. So we packed just what we could carry and left under the cover of night. That's when..." Dafydd's voice cracked as he remembered the events of that terrible night.
"Dafydd, please. Tell me what happened."

"Jack, they destroyed Bancroft Hall! Just as our carriage neared the front gate, there was a tremendous explosion. The life we had built there vanished in flames. We ran for our lives to the port and booked passage here. It took nearly all the money we had left. I spent my last shilling to hire the cart and horse that brought us here."

Dafydd shook his head bitterly. "It wasn't enough for them to try to kill me. They took everything they could. My home and land...and they would have taken my family if they could..."
"I'm glad you came to us, Dafydd. You're safe here, and you're welcome to stay as long as you like."
"Thank you. It's generous of you to offer, but I don't want to be a burden."
"You are not a burden. You are family."

Dafydd sat silent for a moment as he gazed into his glass. "Jack, can I ask you something personal?"
"Certainly."
"How did you manage? As a fellow Royalist, I mean. The war came here to Barbados early on, and by all accounts it was as bloody as what's gone on back home."
"I wouldn't call myself a Royalist, per se, though I have no love for the Roundheads. You have to remember, I was for all intents my own country then. Master of my own wooden world. Those days are gone, but my dislike of political entanglements hasn't changed."
"So you've never thought of trying to change things, to influence things for the better?"
Jack smiled uncomfortably. "I stay out of politics for the same reason I was never a privateer: I don't like the thought of having owners. Dafydd, my advice to you is to forget about political things. Focus now on the things you can control, the things you can make a real difference in. Your life, and the lives of your family. Be a good husband and raise good children. That's the finest contribution a man can ever hope to make. Anything else is just chasing shadows."

Dafydd sighed, and finished off his drink. "I suppose you're right. My grand dreams of bettering Wales put my family in danger. It wasn't worth it."
"Well, you made the decision to come here where you and your family are safe and can have a fresh start. Make sure it's the first in a long line of good choices. Now, let's see about getting a room ready for you and Megan and the children so you all can get some rest."

[Welsh Wench]

"Duckie! Oh, I am so glad to see you!"
Honour grabbed the doctor's hand and pulled him into the parlour.
"Jack sent me a hurried note. Half the words were misspelled and all I could read was 'urgent' 'medical bag' and 'immediately'. Are you alright? Nothing wrong with Zara?" he asked anxiously.
"We're fine. As fine as I can be. It's my sister."

Duckie looked over to the couch. Megan was lying on the couch and shaking, despite the fact she had a blanket covering her.
"He-hello, Dr. Gander," Megan said weakly. He smiled reassuringly at her.
"Well, fancy meeting you here, Lady Llewellyn! Do you come to pirates' soirees often?"
She gave him a small smile but was wracked with coughing.
He took her hand and said to Honour, "I'd like to talk to Lady Llewellyn privately for a few minutes, Honour. Why don't you fix some chamomile tea?"
Honour frowned. "I hate to leave Megan."
"Don't you think she is in the best possible hands right now? I may be Duckie but I am not a quack." He laughed at his own joke but sobered up when he saw Honour's worried face.
"Don't fret, dear. Please give me five minutes with her."
Honour nodded and closed the parlour door but not before she covered an exhausted Morwenna up with a blanket.

"So, Lady Llewellyn, what happened to get you to this state?"
"Pl-please, call me Megan."
"Alright, Megan."
"I'm sure Dafydd is telling Jack the whole story. We were on a ship bound for Barbados for three months."
"You are malnourished. Decidedly so. Dehydrated too. And you are exhausted. Run down like that and you caught a nasty cold with fever bordering on pneumonia."
"W-will I die?"
Duckie gave her a reassuring smile. "Not while I am your doctor. Don't forget, I was able to pull Jack Wolfe from the jaws of death. You have a good constitution. Now I am going into the kitchen to mix up a couple elixirs. I'll send Honour back in."

Honour rushed back into the room and pulled up a chair next to Megan. She held her head up and gave her a few sips of chamomile tea with honey in it. Tenderly she held her sister's hand.
"I passed by the parlour. Dafydd and Jack are talking but I couldn't hear what they are saying. Probably just as well. Man-talk. Darling, what happened?"
Megan put her arm over her eyes and gave out a shudder.
"Rhiannon, it was awful. There are things that Dafydd won't tell me but I know they are bad. He came home one evening and told me not to ask any questions. Just to act casual and get the children dressed. He told the servants we were going to the May faire. He told me to pack a duffel bag with the bare--and I mean bare--essentials. He then went to the safe and took all the money we had out and the jewelry and stuffed them into the duffel bag. He told me not to ask any questions. 
As the carriage pulled out of the drive...oh, Rhiannon....."

Tears choked off her sentence and she took a deep breath.
"It gets worse. As we cleared the drive, we heard an explosion. Someone blew up Bancroft Hall. If we were there....."
He voice trailed off. "Someone meant to kill us. Or maybe it was just meant for Dafydd. Maybe it was the fireplace and the flue was left shut....I don't know. I just don't know. But it was burning to the ground. We watched for a few minutes. I have never seen Dafydd scared...but Rhiannon, he was shaking. His face was white.
The next thing I knew, we were on a ship that night bound for the Azores. He gave the dock master false names and after a month at sea, we transferred to a ship for Barbados. He won't talk to me about it. He just said the less I knew the better off things would be. Passage must have cost us deep in the purse because the money was running out. Then the food was rationed out between us."

Honour said quietly, "You starved yourself to feed your children."
Megan's eyes filled with tears as she silently nodded.
"Oh...Megan." Honour could feel her heart break for her sister.
Megan turned to face Honour, shame written all over her face.
"Rhiannon, we lost it all. Bancroft Hall, the land and title...almost our lives....."
She laughed embarrassingly. "I guess now I am just MRS. Llewellyn. Not that it makes any difference to me. As long as my family is safe. We actually rode here in the middle of the night in an oxcart pulled by a donkey."

Honour gently smoothed the hair away from Megan's face.
"Megan?"
"Yes, Rhiannon?"
"Rest easy. You are safe. You are....home."

[Welsh Wench]

Dawn was breaking when Jack and Honour finally went to bed.
Each was lost in their own thoughts. He drew the covers back and took Honour in his arms as he laid down. He tenderly drew the covers up over her, holding her close.
She sighed deeply.
"Yeah. I know."
"What will become of them, Jack? They lost everything."
"I know, sweetheart."
"Dafydd helped Megan to bed. Duckie said with rest and good food, Megan will be fine. Her fever was due to being run down, dehydration and malnourishment. Top it all with the heartbreak of leaving all she knew behind."
Jack stroked her hair.  "Poor Dylan. He came into the study when Dafydd and I were finishing our talk. He's worried about his mother. I assured him she would be fine in no time."
"I put him in the adjoining room along with Morwenna-. Poor child, she never woke up. If she wakes up in the middle of the night in a strange bed, her father is right next to her room. I can't even imagine how terrifying this is for the children."
"Dafydd reassured me that the children are fine. You heard what happened to Bancroft Hall?"
"Megan told me someone blew it up. Oh  God, Jack, if they had been there....."
"But they weren't. Let's focus on the fact that God must have been looking out for them."
"What will they do now? You know Dafydd won't take charity."
"I know, Honour. I will come up with something."
"Horses are all he knows. He was developing a breed. What happened to them? The horses?"
"Animal lover that he is, Dafydd contacted Angus. You know they are in Scotland now. He and Dilys are in the highlands to get as far away from England as they can. Dafydd sold the horses to him. So the livestock are safe. You were so busy caring for Megan I took the liberty to ask about the rest of the family."

She touched his cheek. "You always look out for me."
He kissed her. "James and Gwyneth are staying put. James' family have enough favors to call in so they are safe. And as I said, Angus moved Dilys to Scotland."
Honour asked quietly, "What of Father?"
"He's living quietly in London to see which way the political wind will blow."

Honour sighed. "So like him. Well, his political influence may see him through yet."
"I don't know, Honour. It may be that he will have to give the sad dog look and appease people, hat in hand. As much as I disliked Rhodri, I hope it works out for him for one reason."
"What's that?"
"To keep him far away from us."

In a small voice, Honour asked, "Will Megan and Dafydd be alright?"
Jack laid his head against hers. "Yes, darling, they will be alright. They suffered losses but it was on their strength that got them here. Granted, Dafydd should not have put himself or his family in harm's way, but....."
"But I detect a note of admiration in your voice, Jack Wolfe, and you can't tell me you wouldn't have done the same."
He chuckled softly. "True. I put myself in harm's way more ways than I care to remember. What I regret is the fact that I put you in harm's way, too."
She looked up at him. "How so?"
"Driving you off to where you had to go back to Wales and have a baby by yourself. Oh, I know Megan and Nesta were with you but..."
"But it wasn't the same," she finished his sentence.
"Jack?"
"Yes?"
"I think sleep will escape us. Just...hold me.
He smiled. "That I can do."

[Welsh Wench]

Honour woke up to the sound of children's voices.
"Jack! Look at the time!"
"Huh?" He turned his bleary eyes to her. "Oh hell!"
He jumped out of bed as Honour was slipping on her dressing gown.
"Do you think we should postpone having Josiah and Eli over for dinner?"
"Let's check in on Dafydd and Megan before we make a decision. Then I say we let them  have some 'alone' time--as well as for us."
"We can pack a picnic lunch and look at the cottage. See what needs to be done to fix it up. We'll know what course we can take to present this to them. Meanwhile I will see what is going on and if Mrs. Avery is up to coping with extra children."
She dressed quickly and went downstairs.

From the kitchen came the sound of children laughing. Dylan and Morwenna were sitting at the table eating scones and drinking hot chocolate. Zara was sitting on Mrs. Avery's lap, crumbs all over her fingers.
"Well, good morning, Mrs. Wolfe!"
Mrs. Avery was beaming as the children hungrily devoured  the scones. Morwenna smiled shyly but Dylan still wore an expression of worry.
"Good morning, children!"
They raised their plates up to show that they had cleaned their plates.

"Have you seen Mama?" Dylan asked. "Da and Mama were still asleep when I peeked in."
"If your Da was still asleep, then I am sure your mama is on the way to getting better, Dylan. Otherwise your da wouldn't be sleeping. He would be taking care of her. They just need to rest."
"Mama said we could see Aunt Rhiannon and Uncle Jack and she was right. I got sick one night when the ship was in a bad storm but she held me and talked about all the things we would do when we got here."
Morwenna spoke up. "There was a big noise at our house and then a fire. Mama sat in the coach and cried."
Rhiannon hugged her niece. "Well, for today we are going to forget about it. How about tomorrow we take you all on a picnic at the beach? Would you like that?"

Morwenna clapped and Dylan nodded enthusiastically. Zara didn't know what was going on but she clapped anyways. Honour began to open up the cabinet, putting some cheese and bread into a basket.

"Mrs. Avery, are you up to watching three children? If not, please say so!"
The motherly woman beamed. "Why, I would love it!"
"Mr. Wolfe and I need to check out a cottage at the edge of the meadow. We are going to renovate it and maybe use it to house an overseer that we may hire to help with the operations here."
"Actually it is an excuse for a picnic," Jack said as he entered the kitchen. "Good morning, Mrs. Avery....and children!"

"Mrs. Avery has so graciously offered to help with the children while Megan and Dafydd get their rest. I will be back in a few minutes. I'm going to check on Megan."
She kissed Jack on the cheek and whispered, "Don't forget the merlot!"

Honour stopped briefly in their room and then made her way to the opposite end of the hallway to where Dafydd and Megan had practically collapsed that night. She knocked softly and Dafydd answered the door.
"How is Megan?" she whispered.
Dafydd stepped out in the hallway. "She slept soundly. Whether it was from the doctor's elixirs or just fatigue....she's still sleeping. Her fever seems down a bit."
Honour handed him a few items of clothing. "Megan always was a bit plumper than me but now I think this will fit her. She's lost weight. And here is a shirt of Jack's and some breeches. They may be a bit short but you can tuck them in your boots."
He looked down and laughed ruefully. "Which have seen better days."
"The children are down with Mrs. Avery. I trust her implicitly and Jack is making a bargain with them to let you rest. Don't look so worried, Dafydd. They are fine."
He took the clothes, embarrassment on his face.
"Honour....I don't know how to thank you. I was at a loss....so we just picked up and left. You and Jack seemed to be the safest and I don't know how I can repay you."

Honour felt her eyes well up with tears and hugged her brother in law.
"Dafydd, no need for thanks. You and Megan took me in when I needed someone. You and Megan just concentrate on getting some rest. In a few days, Jack will talk to you about options. Don't you worry. He has lots of ideas."
"Are you sure the children are fine?"
"They are sitting down with Mrs. Avery eating scones and laughing. Lots of hot chocolate. Tomorrow Jack and I will take them on a picnic at the beach but I told them only if they behave. And I know they will. Please, don't worry. Just take care of Megan."
"I will....and thank you."

Honour came down the stairs as Jack was putting the cloth over the food in the basket.
"Got the merlot. Two bottles."
She playfully smacked his arm. "I know what you are thinking...but this is a business outing."
As she walked over to kiss Zara and give last minute instructions, Jack grinned.
'Yeah, it always starts out as a business outing....but the ending is always the same!'

Honour looked back at him. "One bottle, or I send Dafydd with you instead," she said with a smirk.
"Oh, all right. One it is," he replied with feigned reluctance. As her back was turned, he slipped the bottle back in the basket.
"We won't be long, I promise. But until we return, I need you to mind Mrs. Avery and let your parents have some time to rest. All right?"
Morwenna nodded as she chewed a mouthful of scone. Dylan sat up in his chair cheerily. "We will! And we're still going to the beach tomorrow? Uncle Jack said the water is warm, almost like a bath!"
"Indeed we will, Dylan. You'll like it. Mrs. Avery, thank you again. We'll be back as soon as possible."
"Take your time, Mrs. Wolfe. We'll be fine."

[Welsh Wench]

A while later, Honour dismounted her horse a short distance from the little cottage. She smoothed her dress as she waited for Jack to catch up. It wasn't long before she saw his horse cantering around the bend in the road and up to where she waited.
"You cheated!" he laughed. "We hadn't said anything about a race!"
"Well, you insisted I ride the 'safe' gelding. It's not my fault you can't keep up on a younger horse."
"I could have kept up just fine, my love," protested Jack as he hopped down from the saddle. "You're forgetting I have the picnic basket tied to my saddle." He untied the latigos holding the basket to the back of his saddle, and Honour's eyebrows went up as she heard a solid clink of heavy glass.
"It's not the food you were concerned about...." She opened the top of the basket and spied the two wine bottles nestled inside. "Didn't I say only one bottle?"
Jack smiled impishly. "Surprise!"
"Jack Wolfe, you are incorrigible!"
"And if I behaved any other way, you'd have me in to see Duckie for feared I'd contracted some terrible ailment. Come on, help me spread the blanket under the tree."

They sat in the shade provided by the spreading branches of the old ceiba tree, enjoying a light meal of crusty bread, cheeses, smoked meats, and wine. But Honour was having a hard time enjoying the idyllic setting.
"I know that look, love. You're worried about Megan and Dafydd."
"Of course I am. Jack, how did things turn out this way? Megan has always been the rock we could cling to. Now she's the one cast to the wind."
"And now you're the rock for her to cling to. Life has its twists and turns. We both know that from experience. But for all the help and love they showed you when you were carrying Zara and after, it's our turn to repay that kindness."

"David is worried about taking charity. He's never had to. The Llewellyns were landed gentry. I mean, they never flaunted their wealth and they were kind and generous to people in need. Now they have become the needy. And to see their beloved house blown up....well, that has to have a psychological effect on them. Now they literally hardly have any clothes on their backs. Do you have an idea of what to do for them? I mean, Dafydd is not that well acquainted with farming although he is a wonderful manager."
Jack poured another glass of merlot which Honour readily accepted.
"I have a few ideas. I do think that Eli would be the man for the farming operation though. I have to think a few things through first."
"Will there be a problem staying with us?"
"Certainly not. Although I think it will be hard for Megan to accept the fact that her little sister will be the one she has to lean on."
Honour sighed and stretched out, idly picking up a daisy and carefully plucking the petals one by one.
"I saw Megan's shoes. Oh, Jack! They were cracked and split. The soles were coming apart. I've never seen her so...."
"Poor?"
"Yes. Oh, I know. She's a Conaway and we always manage to cope. And I don't know what to do so she won't feel like a charity case or a burden."
Jack propped himself up on his elbow and picked a daisy and tucked it behind Honour's ear. "First she needs to get her health back. I will emphasize that to Dafydd."
"The children seem happy enough."
"Children are resilient. This was an adventure for them. Young enough not to be too scarred by it. Dafydd and Megan put their fears aside to reassure them."

Jack rose and held his hand out to Honour, helping her rise. He handed her back her glass of merlot and then put his arm around her waist.
"So....show me this cottage!"

[Welsh Wench]

"Let's tether the horses to the trees and we can walk it. It is hidden by that copse of trees over there. The big oak blocks the view so you can't really see it and it is overgrown with vines."
Jack picked up the remaining bottle of merlot and the two glasses.
"And what is that for, Jack?"
"You never know when you will get thirsty, darling."
She put her arm around his waist and he drew her to him.
"You are incorrigible, Jack. Such a bad boy." And then she whispered, "Don't ever change!"

As they walked along, arm in arm, she looked up at him.
"There's something I always wanted to ask you."
"What's that, darling?"
"When did you realize that you loved me?"

Jack smiled broadly. "Are you sure you don't want to ask me a more difficult question?"
"Why, because you can't remember and this is your way of stalling for time?"
"Not at all! I remember precisely when I knew I was in love with you."
"Well, don't keep me in suspense. Tell me!"
"Remember that day at Castara, when we went for a swim? Just the two of us?"
"That's when we spotted the jaguar, wasn't it?"
"That is the day. Then later, we went out behind the pub so I could teach you a bit of self defense."
Honour felt her face flush. "I remember that part, too. Not my finest moment."
"No, love. You were fine. Dangerous, but fine. It was the palmetto that had the bad day."
"Let me guess. It was that night you realized you were in love?"
Jack stopped and turned to face her. "No. It was when I got that sword away from you and held you in my arms. It was my first glimpse behind your world-wise facade. And what I saw was fragile and beautiful. Ordinarily I wouldn't have paid it much thought. But with you... all I wanted to do was protect you. And I still do."

The colour stayed in Honour's cheeks, but no longer from embarrassment. "And ordinarily, a man would shy away from a woman who had just tried to take his head off, even accidentally."
"Let's just say it wasn't the first time someone had swung a sword at me."
"Just how many women have raised a blade to you?" she asked with a smirk.
"I never said 'women'."
"You didn't have to. I know you too well. So how many? More than three? More than five?"
"Oh, look, there's the cottage!" Jack said cheerily as he resumed walking.
Honour watched him walk on, and impish smile upon her face. "An even dozen?"
"Amazing! It's got a door! And real dirt on everything. A bit of a palace, this is! Come look!"
With a laugh, she hurried along to catch up with her husband.

When she got to the doorway, Jack was already filling the glasses with wine. She could not help but smile at how he could make even a run down old cottage seem romantic.
"Well, what do you think?" She swept her hand to the room as Jack looked around.
"You weren't exaggerating when you said it was in good condition. I can't see any daylight through the roofing, and the floorboards aren't warped at all. We should be able to make this place livable in no time at all. But I do have one question."
"And what is that?"
Jack walked to his wife and tenderly looked into her eyes.
"When did you know that you were in love with me?"

She felt her face colour. "I know you expect me to say something like when you were shot by Mendoza or when we landed in Castara, don't  you?"
"Well....yes."
"Well, you are wrong."
"When Zara was born and you knew you had a part of me?"
"Wrong again."
He handed her the glass of merlot and raised his eyebrow. "Now you have me in suspense."

She took a deep breath. "When we got married, it was fire and nothing I had ever felt before in my life. I couldn't get enough of you. It was something I couldn't understand. I thought I was in  love with Rhys--well, I was and things would be a lot different if he had lived and we never had met. Would I have been happy?
Yes, I would have. Content. But that is not what was to be. When I was in Wales, I hated you. When I gave birth by myself, I hated you."
"Honour..."
She held her hand up. "Please let me finish. There is a fine line between love and hate. I came to Barbados to wrap things up and get on with my life. In Scotland. But when I saw you in the tavern......my heart was beating fast. I couldn't breathe. The chemistry was there, fueled by the excitement of hatred...and yes, lust. When you held me close, all I could think of was how good it felt to be held by you. Kissed by you. Made love to by you. And I hated you because you made me feel that way. Because in spite of all our hurting each other in the past, I knew then and there that I would do it all over again."

She looked into his eyes.
"When you were shot by Mendoza, I was afraid. Afraid I would lose you. But that was a security. You represented safety that I had never known. Was that love? I think it was the beginning of it. But then you threw it back in my face when we were in Bridgetown. So I told myself I hated you and that was my protection. But when I held Zara in my arms, it was like I had a part of you still with me even if I never saw you again. It was a parting gift. I even daydreamed of what it would be like to see you again and tell you that you had a daughter. But now we have been given a second chance to get it right."
She took the glass from his hand and put it on the table next to hers.
"And you know what?"
"What?"
She put her arms around his neck, laid her forehead against his and whispered, "You are the only man I could have spent the rest of my life with....naked!"

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

"Oh, I like this view!"
"You were on top," Honour smirked as she was putting on her stockings.
"Well, I DO like picnics!" Jack said as he buttoned his shirt.
He crawled over to where Honour was tying her drawstring on her chemise.
"And I must say, you do look quite enchanting, honey. Even with this----" he reached up and picked a few twigs and leaves out of her hair.
She giggled, "As you do with grass stains on your knees."

He stood up and tucked his shirt into his breeches. She frowned, "Jack---what does poison ivy look like?"
"Three leaves and....oh no! NO! NO! Don't tell me!"
She laid back with her arms above her head and laughed. "I lied. I LIED!"
He reached over and grabbed her hands, pulling her to a sitting position.
"Have I told you how fetching you look with your hair in a tangle and that daisy necklace you made around your neck?"
"What, this old thing?"  She looked down at the flowers draped around her neck. "I can hardly wait to teach Zara all sorts of things. Like daisy necklaces and where to find blueberries and blowing dandelion thistle and---"
He cupped her face and kissed her gently.
"You must have been a charming, beguiling child, Rhiannon Conaway!"

She dimpled. "I was. Then I became hard-as-a-diamond Honour Bright. I had to, to be able to stand up to you!"
"Ah, but underneath, you are all soft."
She looked at him and they both laughed.

She put her arms around him and kissed him. "I lied to you about the first time I realized I loved you."
He raised his eyebrow. "Oh?"
She nodded. "I have always been in love with you. I just hadn't met you yet."

He smiled happily as he gazed into her eyes. "I suppose I could say the same. You went from the woman I could never walk away from to the woman I'll always run to."
"You won't always run to me."
"And why not?"
"I wouldn't want you to break your cane!"
Jack gave a surprised laugh. "You scamp! Honour, you are irascible, irreverent, incorrigible..."
"And irresistible?" She tilted her head and gave him that come hither look that never failed to make him forget about everything else in the world but her.
"Complete irresistible." He kissed her lovingly. "Here, let me help you with those buttons."
He kissed her again as his fingers began to work the buttons of her dress.
"Jack..." she said between increasingly insistent kisses, "you were supposed to fasten them, not undress me again."
"Oh, damn," he said breathlessly. "I've made a right mess of it. What would you have me do?"
"Keep helping..."

[Welsh Wench]

Jack and Honour walked towards their stables, their arms around each other. The reins were draped over their arms and the horses followed behind.

Honour looked up at the sky, the sun on her face. She sighed contentedly, "It's a wonderful day to be alive, isn't it, Jack? The sun shining, the breeze, the fresh air..."
"You feel that way because you..."
She smacked his arm. "Hush! You'll make me blush!"

The daisy chain hung haphazardly around her neck, its petals crushed. The daisies chain on her head was starting to droop down over her forehead.
"Honour, blushing or not, somehow I don't think I could be in love with you anymore than I am at this moment. You look so carefree. Like you haven't a trouble in the world."
She looked up at him and smiled. "I guess I really don't. Or I didn't. Now we need to see how the children are, how Megan and Dafydd are, and figure out what to do with their future. Have you any ideas, Jack? Dafydd is a proud man and won't take well to charity. He's always been on the giving end, not the receiving end."
"I've a few ideas. We will see which one suits him best."

They led their horses into the stables. The stableboy hurried forward but Jack waved him off.
"Thank you, Gideon, but the missus and I will groom them down. You take the time for your lessons."

Jack and Honour brushed their horses in companionable silence. Honour knew Jack was running a few ideas through his mind and needed the time to assemble them.
As they led their horses to their respective stalls, Honour took his hand.
"Ready to meet with Dafydd?"
"As ready as I ever will be."
"Then allons-y, mon cher."

As they entered the house, they were greeted by the sound of children in the kitchen.
"Oh dear....poor Mrs. Avery!"
They walked into the kitchen to see Mrs. Avery assembling an apple pie. Morwenna was helping her, Dylan was eating the cinnamon apples and Zara had her head in the cupboard, dragging out pots and pans.
"Well, what have we here?" Jack asked amusingly.
Mrs. Avery laughed, "Oh, the fun of children under my feet. How I have missed that!"
Dylan grabbed Honour's hand, his eyes shining. "Aunt Rhiannon, Mummy got out of bed and came into the kitchen! She was holding onto things and Da was taking her arm but she got up!"
Mrs. Avery bustled about, "Aye, the poor thing! She looked about gone through the wringer but she was checking on the little ones. I did make her some milktoast and she did eat that. The colour came back to her face a bit. A sight better than last night, I can tell you. All she needs is the fresh air and good food and she will be as right as rain. Along with sleep in a nice clean bed."
Honour gave her a hug. "Thank you for taking on this extra load, Mrs. Avery."
"Now hush with you about that, Miss Honour. T'is my pleasure."
Jack looked over. "Well, the situation seems well in hand. And now I shall go have a talk with Dafydd."
Honour kissed his cheek and whispered, "It will be fine, Jack. Really,  it will."

Jack smiled and gave her a wink. "That's all the reassurance I ever need."
He looked around the kitchen at the bustle and din going on, and his smile widened. This was how he had always envisioned what home should be, and it made him happy.

As he walked toward his study, he heard footsteps on the main staircase. Daffyd was descending slowly, a troubled look on his face.
"I hear Megan is feeling better, up and about to check on the children. That's wonderful news!" he said cheerily.
Daffyd perked up a bit. "Yes, the rest is doing her good. So is the food. Mrs. Avery is an angel."
"Give it time, Daffyd. You've both been through hell. It's a slow road back, take my word for it."
"I suppose you've been through the odd rough scrape yourself. You'll have to tell me about that sometime."
"Over some good brandy and even better rum, one of these evenings. But in the meantime, we should focus on your situation." Jack motioned to the study. "Let's have a talk, eh?"

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Daffyd followed him into the study and took a seat in one of the padded leather chairs. Jack poured two glasses of brandy and handed one to Daffyd. He settled into the other leather chair and gave his brother-in-law a reassuring smile.
"I know it is most likely too soon to even discuss this, but have you given any thoughts as to your next move?" asked Jack.
Daffyd sighed and shook his head. "Not really. What with Megan's health and wondering if we would even make it here alive... but I do know that we shan't be a burden on you for long. The moment I can find work, we'll find a flat in town and move there."
"The four of you, living over a shop or tavern hall in a tiny flat? How would you manage?"
"I look at it as incentive to keep the situation very temporary."
"What skills do you have to offer? I know a fair number of people. I could ask around for you. Do you know a trade?"
"Well, not as such, no. I know good horseflesh. Perhaps if you know anyone who needs a breeding manager? I'm good with books, too. Anything financial, I can do well."
Jack shook his head. "I can't see you as an underpaid clerk in some drab little money house. What about work with the land? Not ploughing fields or planting, mind you. I mean managing a farm or plantation."
Daffyd's eyes brightened. "My family have always had fine lands - until recently, anyway - and good fortune managing them. Do you know someone who could use helps?"
"As a matter of fact, I do," smiled Jack as he took a sip of brandy. "Me."

A look of surprise on Daffyd's face gave way to dismissal.
"Jack, I appreciate what you're trying to do, don't take me wrong. But please, I don't need you inventing a position for me. It would feel like charity."
Jack chuckled and shook his head. "Charity? Daffyd, I'm not joking when I say I've made a right hash of things trying to run this plantation. I can command a ship and her crew through storms and battle, but I am out of my depth here. I honestly need your help."
Daffyd thought a while about Jack's proposition. "You've given me a lot to think about. The offer is enticing, if only on a temporary basis..."
"Whether or not it's temporary is entirely up to you. If things work out to our mutual satisfaction, I will be happy to keep you on indefinitely. If you choose to move on at some point, I'll never stand in your way. Same offer I've always made to anyone I employ. But the way I see things, we need each other."
"Do you always drive such a hard bargain?"
"Only on days ending in 'y'. Why bother, otherwise?"
Daffyd took another sip of brandy and sighed. "Two things before I can give you an answer. First, I need to talk this over with Megan. She needs to be comfortable with this arrangement too, since family is involved."
"Fair enough. What's the second."
"I'll need a look at your books. Just to see what I would be getting myself into."
Jack motioned to the desk. "Be my guest. But give me your glass. You're going to need more brandy."

Daffyd chuckled as he handed the glass over to Jack. He went behind the heavy wooden desk and began looking through the stack of invoices and receipts.
"Oh, you... oh dear. Um... why did...? That's an interesting way of..."
His voice finally trailed off as he grappled with Jack's 'system' of paperwork.
"Here, told you," chuckled Jack as he handed over the glass of brandy.
Daffyd looked up, appearing a bit lost. "Thanks. I'm afraid to ask, but really hoping... a ledger? Do I dare?"
"Under that stack. No, the bigger one. That's it."
He hauled out a large book stuffed with slips of paper. Carefully, he opened it, trying not to lose too many of the papers jammed between the pages. After looking at a few pages, he closed the ledger and promptly drained his glass.
"Told you," laughed Jack. "Still interested?"
"I'm either desperate or insane, but yes. I'm still interested."
"There's more."
"You... you are joking, right?"
Jack shook his head. "How are you at being a mentor?"
"As in teaching? I suppose I do a fair job. Why? Or should I ask, who?"
"Not me, so you can relax. I'm planning on offering someone the job of overseer. A good lad, who comes from a farming background."
"A friend?"
"A crewman. His heart is more with the land than the sea, and I want to help him out."
"What experience does he have handling workers?"
"Almost exactly none at all."
Daffyd drummed his fingers on the desk. "None?"
Jack shook his head.
"Well. Then there will be no bad habits to break him of."

With a grin, Jack held out his hand. "Welcome aboard, Daffyd!"

[Welsh Wench]

Eli frowned as he tied a knot in the rope on the deck of El Lobo.
"What's up, Eli?"
He sighed deeply. "I'm supposed to go over to Captain Wolfe's place to discuss my future employment."
Davis whistled, "You must have pissed him off good. Usually Mad Jack takes the bloke out to a tavern, buys him an ale and gives him the old heave-ho."
Eli continued to absentmindedly tie knots in the same rope.
"I'm not sure if I have enough coin to make it to Devon. If not, I can probably go as far as the Azores and try to work for my passage back to England."

He looked over to the horizon.
"Either way, I will miss it here. I've gotten used to the sun and wind on my face. Trade it in for the gloom of England. I guess I can also try to work a parcel of land from some rich landowner."
He stuck his hand out.
"Anyways, it was grand knowing you, Jacob."
He shook Eli's hand.
"Same here, Eli. Keep the wind at your back and don't forget to say goodbye. Maybe share a last ale with me."
Eli looked out to the blue water again.
"Damn," he said softly, as he went back to tying knots.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mmm! Something smells good!"
Jack came up behind Honour and put his arms around her waist.
She laughed, "It's shortbread. I thought I would try my hand at baking. It's for Zara, Morwenna and Dylan. And to give you a taste of Scotland."
"I haven't had it since Gran's."
"Is she still alive?"
"From what Thomas knows....yes. That woman is too stubborn to ever die."
"Sounds like a lovely woman," Honour murmured.
"Isn't she though? What time is everyone coming?"
"I told them six o'clock."
"Uh oh...I told Eli six-thirty."
"Do you think he will take the job?"
"I hope so. He's a good man. Regardless, he has a position on the ship."
"I hope he does take it too. It would be nice for him to have a place of his own."
"Well, it would sure make it easier on me. Dafydd has already agreed to mentor him."

"Am I interrupting anything?"  Megan came into the kitchen. "Or is there anything you need help with?"
Honour noticed Megan's hand gripping the back of a chair to steady herself.
"Megan, where's your ring?"
"Oh...my finger got so thin it kept slipping off. Dafydd was afraid I would lose it so he put it away for safekeeping."
She looked down. "I--I wanted to sell it when we were in port in the Azores to buy some food but Dafydd wouldn't hear of it."
"Well, I am glad he wouldn't let you.  You need something to hold onto."
Megan sat down slowly and smiled wanly.
"I guess I am not as strong as I think I am. I'm just so tired."

Honour put a glass of milk in front of her.
"You drink this."
Megan laughed softly. "Look at you, Rhiannon. You are the one taking care of ME!  I haven't seen the children. Did they have a good day at the beach?"
"They had a wonderful time! Both have a nice warm glow on their faces."
Megan nodded."The salt air will do them good."
"As it will you also. After all, Megan, you have only been here two days."
"I don't know what will become of us, Rhiannon."
"I'll tell you what will become of you. Dafydd accepted the role as mentor to Eli, provided the young man accepts the position. Jack has also mentioned to me that he and Dafydd can breed horses--the best the world has ever seen. You will build a house on the other side of the meadow, you will raise the children and live happily ever after!"
"You have this all planned out, don't you?"
"Yes, I do. Oh, Megan, I am so happy you are here!"
She hugged her sister's thin body.
"But first we need to fatten you up a bit. You can finally meet the wonderful Mr. Briggs and Renee is invited too. Jack wants to have a celebration for Eli. He so deserves it. He's like the little brother we never had."

Megan stood up carefully.
"I'm looking forward to it. Now I will lie down so I can enjoy the meal later."

Honour watched as her sister slowly walked out of the room.
Softly she said,  "You'll see, Megan. Everything will be alright. I won't have it any other way."